‘The X Factor’ UK: Katy Perry, One Direction, The Killers, and Sir Elton John booked for finale
“The X Factor” UK has basically held up its hands today in proclaiming one thing: It really wants to make sure that people watch its upcoming finale event starting a week from Saturday. ITV has assembled some of the biggest names in music, and it should create some sort of epic music event at Wembley that could quiet down the always angry British press … maybe.
At the moment, the lineup for the two-day event includes Katy Perry, One Direction, Sir Elton John (performing a duet with Gary Barlow), The Killers, and more. You’ll also get a chance presumably to see some eliminated contestants, who tend to turn up in support of the final two contestants on the Sunday.
One of the reasons why the British press are making a big deal out of this news are because they are ballyhooing this as some sort of last-ditch effort to save the show’s ratings. Dear British press, this is not the American “X Factor.” The numbers here are still far and away better than the U.S. counterpart, and that’s with Britain having a much smaller total population. ITV is bringing the show back for another season, so there is really no reason to worry. The only things that we are curious about include who will win the competition this season, and also who will be on the judging panel next year. It wouldn’t surprise us if this is the year that Simon Cowell actually does return, possibly with his tail between his legs as the American show could be canceled. Fox has delayed a decision on renewing the series, and while they are still considering it, its format would likely be changed in an effort to save even more money.
Our personal opinion is that having these sort of packed finales don’t really guarantee big ratings, mostly because we’re in an age where YouTube performances are accessible only a couple of hours after the show, and you can watch your favorite artist perform without having to sift through all the nonsense you don’t want to see.
Photo: ITV